In a calculated late-night raid, the thieves cut through a lock at the group’s Dalton Park headquarters on Friday, piled four massive half-tonne bales into the back of a vehicle and drove off.

An incensed RDA president Jess Horder, who established the group 21 years ago, said she was horrified when she heard the news.

“I just reacted with horror that any person could be so callous,” Mrs Horder said.

“To steal from a charity, of all places, is unbelievable.

“And it was a very deliberate act ... they would have known exactly who they were stealing from and they would have had to come well-equipped.

“They would have needed a front-end loader or a lifter and the bales weren’t on display; they were in a back shed.”

While bales used to be donated to RDA, the drought meant the group now had to buy them.

Griffith police inspector Gordon Dunlop urged anyone with information to contact police on 6969 4299.

“It’s an appalling act to steal from the disadvantaged and these bales of hay are purchased through fundraising and donations from the community,” Insp Dunlop said.

Police have asked anyone who saw a vehicle carrying hay in the area between 5pm on Friday and 5am on Saturday to call them.